July/August 2001

Various ArtistsJazz: Live From New YorkTelarc

Jazz: Live From New York offers a two-CD collection of 15 tracks culled from previously released live recordings by Telarc artists. The earliest is an Oscar Peterson Trio performance at the Blue Note in 1990, and the latest is a date with Peterson and others at the same venue in 1998. Sandwiched in between are cuts by Slide Hampton, Al Grey, Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, James Moody, Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck, Jim Hall, the Jazz Messengers (post-Blakey), Jon Hendricks, Stephane Grappelli, Harry Edison and Louie Bellson. High spots include Wynton Marsalis' downhome blues fills behind Jon Hendricks on "Contemporary Blues" followed by Red Holloway's earthy alto solo, Gillespie's poignant duet with pianist Danilo Perez on his "Con Alma," and Peterson's establishing in "SKJ" that his earlier stroke had not diminished his right hand's ability to tear up the piano.

The packaging of the twofer could have been better, however. The entire personnel on each of the original CDs is listed even though some may not appear on the tune appearing here. Dizzy's track, for instance, lists 12 musicians, although only he and his pianist play. More regrettably none of the soloists is credited. And the Jerome Kern standard "Yesterday" is attributed to the performer, Dave Brubeck.